My Two Cents: All Eyes on Tim Kelly As Titans' Speed Up Process For Improved Offense
NASHVILLE — If the Tennessee Titans want to be better this year, there's one spot in the organization that really has to be better.
That's Tim Kelly's hot seat now. He's the new offensive coordinator, taking over an offense that was stuck in the mud last year under Todd Downing. He was fired during the Titans' seven-game losing streak to end the season, and it put a spotlight on just how bad this offense had become.
Sure, there were injuries, most notably to veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and the offensive line was a mess. But it was easier to blame Downing — and that was a near unanimous reaction among the fan base.
The Titans are having voluntary OTAs this week, and we're seeing the first bit of the 2023 offense. It's ''faster,'' more ''efficient,'' and ''easier to grasp.''
All good-sounding phrases.
"I wouldn't say it's a complete overhaul. It's going to be about accentuating what we do well and taking it from there,'' Kelly said. "We want to play fast, and over time we want to have a better measure of where we're at. Some of it comes in our ability to execute and play to their speed. Our job as coaches is to get them to play as fast as they can. So far, it's been good.
"I've been pleased. I think we had 20 snaps of football yesterday. As the installation starts to build, hopefully I'll feel the same way. The work ethic guys are showing has been great. We haven't been pulling any punches. We're giving them everything, and seeing what they can handle. So far it's been good.''
Kelly said it's incumbent on the coaching staff to help the players go as fast as they can while also being efficient. Tight end Chig Okonkwo, who is set to have a big second season with the Titans, just having a simpler language to everything makes it easier to play at this increased pace.
"We want to know what everyone is doing, so we can play hard and play fast.'' Okonkwo said. "We'll be able to operate a lot faster and a lot cleaner. We've cleaned up a lot of code words in the offense to changing long verbages in the huddle to just single words, where one word tells you the entire play and everybody knows where to line up. It's harder to learn, but once we learn it, it will be easier to play.
"It's been good so far. It's just fun playing football again and being out of the field grinding with my teammates.''
Kelly not only wants the pace of the offense to be faster, but he was guys to be able to utilize their speed in open spaces, too. Everyone at every level will benefit, backs, tight ends and wide receivers.
Someone like second-year man Traylon Burks, who's the projected No. 1 receiver, is a 6-foot-2, 225-pound beast. He's a perfect fit for this offense.
"We want to see Traylon out there playing fast and be big and be strong and be physical. and go out there and do what he does best,'' Kelly said. "I know we've talked a lot about tempo, but that's what we want. I know it's only been a few days against the defense, but he's done a good job of that.
"We want to do what's best for us, putting players on the field that can take advantage of mismatches and finding the best matchups. We want to make sure we put our guys in positions and spots were they can execute and play to their strengths,'' Kelly said when he met with the media prior to Tuesday's practice. We need to do that consistently so we can go out and win.''
There's a lot of focus on the offensive line as well, and the Titans are hoping to be better with the addition of first-round pick Peter Skoronski and some offseason additions. There will be a summer-long battle for starting spots.
''We've got a long time before we play our first game, and we're going to put our five best guys out there (on the offensive line,'' Kelly said.
That's just one of the many big things on his plate. If he's better than his predecessor, then the Titans can be a lot better, too.
